The Internal Revenue Service sent out more than $330 billion in refunds to U.S. taxpayers last year. To capture some of this year's cash, and jump on a marketing opportunity, companies are offering freebies and discounts celebrating the end of the annual filing ordeal.

Half-off drinks: All alcoholic beverages will be half off at the BLT Prime restaurants in New York and the Trump National Doral resort in Miami on April 18. The same deal applies at BLT Steak restaurants in New York, Charlotte, Waikiki, Washington, D.C., and White Plains, N.Y. Other ESquared Hospitality restaurants taking part in the promotion: New York's Casa Nonna, Horchata, and the Wayfarer, and the Florentine in Chicago.

The Internal Revenue Service sent out more than $330 billion in refunds to U.S. taxpayers last year. To capture some of this year's cash, and jump on a marketing opportunity, companies are offering freebies and discounts celebrating the end of the annual filing ordeal.

Half-off drinks: All alcoholic beverages will be half off at the BLT Prime restaurants in New York and the Trump National Doral resort in Miami on April 18. The same deal applies at BLT Steak restaurants in New York, Charlotte, Waikiki, Washington, D.C., and White Plains, N.Y. Other ESquared Hospitality restaurants taking part in the promotion: New York's Casa Nonna, Horchata, and The Wayfarer, and the Florentine in Chicago.

Pavlova at The Wayfarer (101 W. 57th St.). “Pavlovas are my favorite dessert, and I’m quite picky when it comes to eating them. With its perfect execution, the pavlova at the Wayfarer blew my taste buds away. The fresh blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and pomegranate decorated the meringue deliciously. To literally ‘top it all off,’ the waiter made a presentation out of the dessert by pouring berry syrup on it when served.” —Madina Papadopulous, Online Contributor

David Bowie once said, “I am an instant star. Just add water and stir,” so as NYC prepares to celebrate his life and music at this week's tribute concerts, The Wayfarer is taking its cue from Bowie's own words and stirring up original, handcrafted cocktails inspired by the star's catalog of music. Available at The Wayfarer through Monday (April 4, 2016) is a special menu of five Bowie-inspired cocktails: The Diamond Dog, The Ziggy Stardust, The Tin Machine, The Heathen and The Yng American cocktails (each $14) at both the restaurant’s main bar and upstairs lounge. In memory of Bowie, $2 from every Bowie cocktail served will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. As fans gather to celebrate Bowie for the all-star tribute shows this week, concert-goers and Bowie-admirers can stop at The Wayfarer nearby to raise a toast. And to help get your weekend off on a youthful note, here is the recipe to The Wayfarer's Bowie-inspired "The Young American" cocktail.

Notes:

Preferred glass: coupe

Directions

Add all ingredients, except Angostura bitters, to tin and shake. Strain into coupe and top with a dash of Angostura bitters.

In Midtown West, chains proliferate, but if you look beyond your usual humdrum lunch suspects, there exists a wider range of options: for everything from a quick 20-minute bite, to a sit-down with a magazine (maybe even a glass of wine), to that classic institution, the power lunch. In fact, along with the Financial District, Midtown is tops for power lunching. Read on for our recommendations of where to lunch in Midtown West, whatever the circumstance.

THE WAYFARER Classy and contemporary but relaxed, The Wayfarer is a great choice for a longer lunch whether with a friend or coworker. The menu has a strong focus on seafood, with various inspired sushi platters ($14 and up), making it ideal for a light but protein-packed lunch. Also, The Wayfarer has a great burger that will satisfy your craving for juicy red meat ($22), and a really solid lobster roll ($29). There’s a beautiful salmon and arugula salad with Humboldt Fog, an artisanal goat’s cheese from California ($25), on the lighter side, as well as more upscale dishes like dry aged NY Strip steak ($48) and filet mignon ($49).

The Wayfarer is located at 101 West 57th Street, (212) 691-0030; thewayfarernyc.com

The Wayfarer welcomes a new executive chef, sushi chef, and many seafood options to the menu

Great cuts of meat and poultry have had a permanent spot on The Wayfarer’s menu for some time. Now, with the new addition of executive chef Chris Shea, comes a smattering of delicious sushi, scallop, and fish offerings.

The dressed oysters with saffron tapioca and pickled vegetables offer a fun alternative to the Worcestershire and horseradish complements typically served with bivalves, and the seared scallops saltimbocca have also found a unique and delectable sidekick in spinach ravioli, prosciutto, butternut squash, pine nuts, and capers they’re served with. If you try one thing, though, make sure it’s the citrus roasted black sea bass made with grapefruit truffle vinaigrette and served with mushroom and scallion quinoa — the preparation is divine, and there are even some roasted truffles on the plate.

“At this point it is a rare occurrence to read a menu that does not have at least one or two raw fish dishes, whether it is sushi or crudo or ceviche,” said chef Shea. “People want the option to eat light and healthy, they make for a great start to the meal, and people may be intimidated to try to make these dishes in their own.”

In collaboration with their new sushi chef, Wei Ping Lin, simple and tasty signature sushi items have also been added to the menu, including dragon, California, rainbow, and yellowtail tuna rolls.

But two surprising additions to that list are the beef and broccoli roll: thin-sliced filet mignon stuffed with charred broccoli, caramelized onions, and truffle aioli served with a togarashi spiced truffled ponzu topped with shaved burgundy truffles; and the fried chicken roll made with romaine, avocado, cucumber, sesame, and eel sauce.

Since seafood generally makes for a lighter meal, you’ll have room for dessert — try the Unbirthday cake (white confetti cake topped with blueberry sauce and lemon sorbet), the classic warm apple pie for two (it’s a whole pie!) with vanilla ice cream and apple cider sorbet, or the classic peanut butter candy bars, served with toasted marshmallow and candied walnuts.